The crew of an offshore oil platform have been left washing in sinks filled with water from kettles after their hot water system failed, it has been claimed.
Workers on the Taqa Bratani-owned North Cormorant platform were reportedly issued kettles on Monday to wash off oily mud from drilling operations, however the firm refused to comment on these claims.
It is understood the hot water system on the platform failed on Monday leaving all 200 crew members unable to have a hot shower.
A spokeswoman for Taqa Bratani said: “We can confirm that there is a problem affecting the domestic hot water supply on our North Cormorant platform.
“The welfare of the people on board the installation is our main priority and to limit the number of people affected, 49 non-essential crew members were taken off the platform yesterday.
“There are plans in place to take off a further 14 crew members today, reducing the crew on board to about 140.
“Replacement parts have been sent out to the platform via boat and repair work to the hot water system is under way. We also have a contingency plan in place should the repair work take longer than expected.”
The North Cormorant platform is 114 miles north-east of Lerwick.